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Windham Brides #1
The Trouble with Dukes
THEY CALL HIM THE DUKE OF MURDER...
The gossips whisper that the new Duke of Murdoch is a brute, a murderer, and even worse—a Scot. They say he should never be trusted alone with a woman. But Megan Windham sees in Hamish something different, someone different.
No one was fiercer at war than Hamish MacHugh, though now the soldier faces a whole new battlefield: a London Season. To make his sisters happy, he'll take on any challenge—even letting their friend Miss Windham teach him to waltz. Megan isn't the least bit intimidated by his dark reputation, but Hamish senses that she's fighting battles of her own. For her, he'll become the warrior once more, and for her, he might just lose his heart.
The gossips whisper that the new Duke of Murdoch is a brute, a murderer, and even worse—a Scot. They say he should never be trusted alone with a woman. But Megan Windham sees in Hamish something different, someone different.
No one was fiercer at war than Hamish MacHugh, though now the soldier faces a whole new battlefield: a London Season. To make his sisters happy, he'll take on any challenge—even letting their friend Miss Windham teach him to waltz. Megan isn't the least bit intimidated by his dark reputation, but Hamish senses that she's fighting battles of her own. For her, he'll become the warrior once more, and for her, he might just lose his heart.
10 pages, Audiobook
First published December 20, 2016
1233 people are currently reading
4080 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
190 books2,916 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 625 reviews
December 19, 2016
I had no trouble with this kilt wearing Duke.
I LOVED The Trouble with Dukes. This type of book is why I love reading and became devoted to historical romance. Historical romance was my first love. I have been known to hook up with contemporary, paranormal/fantasy and suspense but you can’t beat your first love. Historical romance is where my heart lays. The strong but troubled aristocrat, the feisty and quirky heroine and a love story that melts your heart and leaves you with a giddy smile.
The Trouble with Dukes introduces us to Hamish MacHugh, the newly appointed Duke of Murdoch. Almost immediately, I had a soft spot for Hamish. It’s obvious that he’s devoted to his family and puts their needs ahead of his own. Hamish, his brother Colin and sisters Edana and Rhona are in London for the girls to acquire new dresses. While his siblings are happy enough visiting London, Hamish is not. He’s not interested in social gatherings and especially not with his fellow officers from the war. Not surprising considering they had all dubbed him the Duke of Murder.
As the story goes on we learn that not everything is as it seems in regards to Hamish. The stories from the war don’t seem to tell the full story. Being the type of man Hamish is, he’s not overly concerned with what the gossips say in regards to his services to his country. He is concerned about his reputation affecting his sisters’ chances at finding a suitable match. This concern leads him to do the one thing he tried to avoid…being social. Luckily for Hamish, he meets a bespectacled young lady who doesn’t seem to mind that he’s socially awkward.
Megan Windham is trapped. She’s in the unfortunate position of being blackmailed by a despicable man, Sir Fletcher. Sir Fletcher/Despicable is in need of funds and kept some very risqué letters Megan had written to him while he was overseas fighting in the war. Megan, at the time, thought she was in love with Sir Despicable but in truth, it ended up being a foolish infatuation.
Megan’s a Windham, the granddaughter of a Duke and has a sizable dowry. When all of Sir Despicable’s other fortune hunting endeavours go sour, he resorts to blackmailing Megan to clear his debts. Megan doesn’t want to marry Sir Despicable but she also doesn’t want to have to share her shame with her Windham family, especially her cousins. Hopefully, she can get herself out of this situation and if a certain Duke offers his services, she may just take him up on his offer.
I absolutely loved Megan and Hamish together. Neither of them seems confident but they do have an inner strength they both see in each other. Megan is not concerned with Hamish’s lack of social graces and Hamish is not concerned that Megan is practically blind without her glasses. She sees a strong and virile man who loves his family and works hard to do the right thing…even if it’s against the rules. He sees a beautiful and intelligent woman with fire in her eyes and strength and determination in her actions. The chemistry between them sizzled.
To me, there is nothing I like more than a man who knows what he wants. Even though Hamish hesitated with lumping himself on Megan, he never questioned that Megan was perfect for him. I wanted a perfect love story for this couple and I pretty much got what I wanted. Yes, there were some issues with Sir Despicable but Hamish was determined to make things right. The best part, Megan didn’t just sit back and hope for the best. Megan made sure she played a part in fixing her problems and in the end stood up for herself. It was very refreshing.
One of the highlights for me is getting to catch up with the Windhams. Percy (the Duke of Moreland), his sons Gayle (the Earl of Westhaven), Valentine, St Just, Keswick and Deene are very funny. The fact that the blokes in the family are worse than a pack of matchmaking mothers is one of the cutest things ever. You almost get the impression that Percy is eccentric, but deep down he just wants his duchess to be happy. I love them.
The Trouble with Dukes was one of my favourite historical romances this year. I never got distracted, was desperate to get back to it and I finished with a big goofy grin on my face. Can’t ask for more than that. If you haven’t read the previous Windham stories you will have no problems following along. I’ll warn you, though, it may make you want to go back to the beginning to see each of their love stories play out.
Looking forward to seeing if Colin grows up and how he woos Anwen.
I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -
November 30, 2020
A soldier from Scotland becomes a reluctant member of the aristocracy when he inherits a dukedom. But there are some perks! He meets the Windham family and falls for a spunky (secretly) fallen woman that needs his help to get back some letters she's being blackmailed with by a scuzzy fortune hunter.
This one didn't knock my socks off, but it was still a fun little audiobook that helped pass the time. I liked everyone in the story and the narrator did a great job.
If you're looking for a kilt romance, this one fits the bill and should leave you with a smile on your face.
This one didn't knock my socks off, but it was still a fun little audiobook that helped pass the time. I liked everyone in the story and the narrator did a great job.
If you're looking for a kilt romance, this one fits the bill and should leave you with a smile on your face.
November 4, 2016
Grace Burrowes writes from the heart--with warmth, humor, and a generous dash of sensuality, her stories are unputdownable! If you're not reading Grace Burrowes you're missing the very best in today's Regency Romance!
February 7, 2017
Oh dear, I hope this years HR will get better.... at least those I read.... O_o
I was frustrated with this book. In the first half there's a lot of running around, a lot of people talking, scheming, nothing happened.
Or, better, I could discern that there's this guy, odious and unctuous, who wanted to force Megan to marry him. But it was not clear why she just didn't slap him or gave him a cut direct...
I understood, after years of reading HR, that Dukes and Duchesses had very much power and could make or unmake a person just like this...
So it was unclear to me here how could anybody treat Hamish, the war hero (tarnished, but still...), the Duke like dirt.... Mah... maybe I got it wrong... *shrug*
I couldn't also understand why Megan didn't want her family to help her. Why didn't she told them that Fletcher were blackmailing her... she didn't have to tell them exactly why, just that he was doing it!
I also couldn't understand why Hamish couldn't just propose to her without giving a fig to what Fletcher would do. Why they both cared about that? Didn't the women got married if their reputation was riuned as a reparation of said reputation? Mah...
And, in the end that's exactly what happens: Hamish asks her to marry him in the middle of a ball! So why all the drama?
Ah, this is a mostly clean and alsmot virginal romance. The hot scenes are so not hot...
But, on the positive side, the writing is good, so for me this was a 2.5 stars rounded to 3.
I was frustrated with this book. In the first half there's a lot of running around, a lot of people talking, scheming, nothing happened.
Or, better, I could discern that there's this guy, odious and unctuous, who wanted to force Megan to marry him. But it was not clear why she just didn't slap him or gave him a cut direct...
I understood, after years of reading HR, that Dukes and Duchesses had very much power and could make or unmake a person just like this...
So it was unclear to me here how could anybody treat Hamish, the war hero (tarnished, but still...), the Duke like dirt.... Mah... maybe I got it wrong... *shrug*
I couldn't also understand why Megan didn't want her family to help her. Why didn't she told them that Fletcher were blackmailing her... she didn't have to tell them exactly why, just that he was doing it!
I also couldn't understand why Hamish couldn't just propose to her without giving a fig to what Fletcher would do. Why they both cared about that? Didn't the women got married if their reputation was riuned as a reparation of said reputation? Mah...
And, in the end that's exactly what happens: Hamish asks her to marry him in the middle of a ball! So why all the drama?
Ah, this is a mostly clean and alsmot virginal romance. The hot scenes are so not hot...
But, on the positive side, the writing is good, so for me this was a 2.5 stars rounded to 3.
July 5, 2019
DNF 26%
December 27, 2016
So, I have a theory. Burrowes does not write great novels when the setting is the London Season. It's like she's at a loss for how to bring her H/h together when they're just a standard couple courting in a standard way. Unless her heroine is the near neighbour/governess/housemaid/gal of all works of the hero and the action is set primarily around one stately home, in the country, with country pursuits, I think she's a bit at sea.
This novel was at sea.
The romance never felt well developed. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, Megan and Hamish liked one another and then they loved one another. There weren't any particularly great scenes between them or romantic moments. They don’t share any particular pursuits or views (aside from the fact that Megan likes a kilt and Hamish wears one). A quick chat at one ball and then another and then a ride in the park and it seems to be enough. I’m not sure why.
Even the basis on which they were bought more frequently together – namely Megan’s recruitment of Hamish to retrieve her letters was very strained. Why would Megan recruit Hamish to help her retrieve her letters when there are so many Windham cousins, in laws and benevolent uncles about? And boy, were there a hell of a lot of them about. This is not the book to start with if you're new to Burrowes, firstly because there's (much) better out there, but secondly because it's absolutely packed full of beloved characters past and most of their interactions will be lost on you if you aren't embedded in the Burrowes lexicon. There was, it seemed to me, a lot of focus on those other characters to the detriment of the underdeveloped primary romance.
Suffice to say, this fell flat for me. In my opinion, the weakest Burrowes to date. And for the first time, I wonder if she doesn’t need to leave the Windhams behind and look at building a new world in which to create new romances.
This novel was at sea.
The romance never felt well developed. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, Megan and Hamish liked one another and then they loved one another. There weren't any particularly great scenes between them or romantic moments. They don’t share any particular pursuits or views (aside from the fact that Megan likes a kilt and Hamish wears one). A quick chat at one ball and then another and then a ride in the park and it seems to be enough. I’m not sure why.
Even the basis on which they were bought more frequently together – namely Megan’s recruitment of Hamish to retrieve her letters was very strained. Why would Megan recruit Hamish to help her retrieve her letters when there are so many Windham cousins, in laws and benevolent uncles about? And boy, were there a hell of a lot of them about. This is not the book to start with if you're new to Burrowes, firstly because there's (much) better out there, but secondly because it's absolutely packed full of beloved characters past and most of their interactions will be lost on you if you aren't embedded in the Burrowes lexicon. There was, it seemed to me, a lot of focus on those other characters to the detriment of the underdeveloped primary romance.
Suffice to say, this fell flat for me. In my opinion, the weakest Burrowes to date. And for the first time, I wonder if she doesn’t need to leave the Windhams behind and look at building a new world in which to create new romances.
did-not-finish
February 12, 2020I didn't get comfortable with this book. Its vocabulary was challenging, so I couldn't get relaxed while reading it, I came across lots of words here that I understood only because I know some French.
In the end, the book moved so slowly that I wondered if this was a book about nothing. I've never read two good romance books consecutively. Something always prevents me from embracing the genre full fledgedly. Oh well, better luck next time.
In the end, the book moved so slowly that I wondered if this was a book about nothing. I've never read two good romance books consecutively. Something always prevents me from embracing the genre full fledgedly. Oh well, better luck next time.
December 21, 2016
Men with impeccable manners and pretty words don’t impress Megan Windham. She’s found out the hard way that a snake can be under all those social niceties. That’s why Megan isn’t turned off by Hamish MacHugh’s lack of them. Instead, Megan finds herself drawn to the unrefined, but genuine man, but does it matter when another schemes and plots to take her freedom away?
Hamish has a fierce reputation, nick-named the “Duke of Murder” by gossipers, but he’s braving the London social season for his younger sisters. For some reason Megan isn’t scared off by his reputation. She has no problem providing practical advice on fitting in, and Hamish relishes the extra one on one time they spend together.
Hamish and Megan came into each other’s lives at the right time, for both need a bit of rescuing. Megan’s problems, thanks to the scumbag Sir Fletcher, were more worrisome. Sir Fletcher, while handsome and perfectly mannered from outward appearances, made my skin crawl! Thankfully, Megan has many in her corner, and now the “Duke of Murder” on her side. Their relationship is definitely beneficial on both sides, for Hamish struggles with guilt from his experiences in war. Megan’s understanding and perspective help him push those feelings aside, and their shared confidences build trust, affection, and love between them. Plenty of feelings fueled the attraction that they initially felt into an all-consuming fire!
Watching Megan and Hamish fall for each other while trying to overcome Sir Fletcher’s schemes completely sucked me in, and the 368 pages just flew by. I appreciated that neither fell solely because of looks. Yes, they both were physically attracted to each other, but it was what was underneath that really bonded them.
The Trouble with Dukes is the start of a spinoff series to Grace Burrowes’s Windham series, but I enjoyed this story without reading the previous books. There are a lot of characters from the previous series, Megan’s relations, that show up and I’m sure fans will appreciate their appearances. I look forward to Colin MacHugh’s story next in Too Scot to Handle!
A copy was kindly provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hamish has a fierce reputation, nick-named the “Duke of Murder” by gossipers, but he’s braving the London social season for his younger sisters. For some reason Megan isn’t scared off by his reputation. She has no problem providing practical advice on fitting in, and Hamish relishes the extra one on one time they spend together.
Hamish and Megan came into each other’s lives at the right time, for both need a bit of rescuing. Megan’s problems, thanks to the scumbag Sir Fletcher, were more worrisome. Sir Fletcher, while handsome and perfectly mannered from outward appearances, made my skin crawl! Thankfully, Megan has many in her corner, and now the “Duke of Murder” on her side. Their relationship is definitely beneficial on both sides, for Hamish struggles with guilt from his experiences in war. Megan’s understanding and perspective help him push those feelings aside, and their shared confidences build trust, affection, and love between them. Plenty of feelings fueled the attraction that they initially felt into an all-consuming fire!
Watching Megan and Hamish fall for each other while trying to overcome Sir Fletcher’s schemes completely sucked me in, and the 368 pages just flew by. I appreciated that neither fell solely because of looks. Yes, they both were physically attracted to each other, but it was what was underneath that really bonded them.
The Trouble with Dukes is the start of a spinoff series to Grace Burrowes’s Windham series, but I enjoyed this story without reading the previous books. There are a lot of characters from the previous series, Megan’s relations, that show up and I’m sure fans will appreciate their appearances. I look forward to Colin MacHugh’s story next in Too Scot to Handle!
A copy was kindly provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2016
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Megan Windham has a powerful family full of nobility but they might not be able to save her from an indiscretion in her youth.
Hamish MacHugh is a former colonel who is now a duke and just wishing he could be back in Scotland.
When they meet there is an instant connection but a sly villain and observing the "niceties" of the times are conspiring to keep them apart.
The Trouble with Dukes is first in the Windham Brides series and can be read as a standalone. However, if you're a frequent reader of Burrowes' stories, you're going to get a lot more out of this one and love it even more. Characters from the Windham and heroes from the Duke's Obsession series are very prominent throughout. Not having read a lot of the books they were stars in, I found they didn't add a lot to our main couple's relationship so much as fill out the setting and world Burrowes has created. There are a couple that I'm dying to read their stories; Devlin St. Just , who I first met in the Captive Hearts series and instantly was drawn to. They weren't as overwhelming as I've sometimes found in other stories but they do take up time and space from our main couple.
Nobody smiled at Megan Windham the way Murdoch was smiling. Even without her glasses, she could see the warmth and approval in his eyes, see all the acceptance and admiration a woman could endure from one man.
I loved our heroine Megan, her hurt and anger over her folly as a youth, her passion, and her quiet strength. She definitely gets handicapped by the time period she is living in but her personality in the face of it all, shines even brighter. Not being able to wear her glasses and instantly being at a disadvantage because of it, her internal dialogue about remembered childhood "pranks" taking her glasses had my heart aching for her. While her instance at reaching out and holding on to Hamish had me cheering her on.
Hamish had hated war with a passion, though no soldier admitted that to his fellows.
If you read The Traitor (Captive Hearts series) you'll remember Hamish but our first glimpse of him here is of him saving Megan's glasses; needless to say, I fell for him right then and there. In a style that will either endear or turn-off readers, Hamish has a very persistent way of comparing everything to soldiering; he approaches society as a battle campaign. I thought it was cute and felt it was a great insight to this gruff but big hearted man. He gets lost a bit in the middle due to the secondary characters but along with Megan, every time his wool kilt came swinging into the picture, I sat up to pay attention. The author did a great job of bringing to light the deep pain, brotherhood, and other myriad emotions that come with soldiering through Hamish; there was a heavy emotional base to this character.
As with all Burrowes I have read, there were deep emotions and heart-wrenching scenes. You'll find plenty of humor and warmth in these pages but not a lot of drama. I missed the building of attraction, our couple's relationship is built more from a soulmate perspective who are fairly instantly comfortable and close with one another, and a little bit of excitement; this story is a light breezed Sunday afternoon swinging in a hammock equivalent. I was a little frustrated with how Megan couldn't or wouldn't just tell her family the whole story, the Windhams seem to be touted as a very close more progressive family, why couldn't she go to one of them? I wish I could have gotten to know Hamish's sisters more in favor of sticking with past heroes and our happily ever after was a bit rushed and abrupt. Regardless of those complaints, Sir Fletcher our villain was suitably smarmy with enough filling out to try to hold one or two sympathies, the pace and tone kept things running smoothly, and our main couple was sweet together.
If you were ever a little girl in glasses, Megan will steal a piece of your heart while Hamish's caring will repair it. I look forward to coming into his own Colin (Hamish's younger brother) and what's she up to Anwen (Megan's sister) story and seeing how they come together next in the series.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Megan Windham has a powerful family full of nobility but they might not be able to save her from an indiscretion in her youth.
Hamish MacHugh is a former colonel who is now a duke and just wishing he could be back in Scotland.
When they meet there is an instant connection but a sly villain and observing the "niceties" of the times are conspiring to keep them apart.
The Trouble with Dukes is first in the Windham Brides series and can be read as a standalone. However, if you're a frequent reader of Burrowes' stories, you're going to get a lot more out of this one and love it even more. Characters from the Windham and heroes from the Duke's Obsession series are very prominent throughout. Not having read a lot of the books they were stars in, I found they didn't add a lot to our main couple's relationship so much as fill out the setting and world Burrowes has created. There are a couple that I'm dying to read their stories; Devlin St. Just , who I first met in the Captive Hearts series and instantly was drawn to. They weren't as overwhelming as I've sometimes found in other stories but they do take up time and space from our main couple.
Nobody smiled at Megan Windham the way Murdoch was smiling. Even without her glasses, she could see the warmth and approval in his eyes, see all the acceptance and admiration a woman could endure from one man.
I loved our heroine Megan, her hurt and anger over her folly as a youth, her passion, and her quiet strength. She definitely gets handicapped by the time period she is living in but her personality in the face of it all, shines even brighter. Not being able to wear her glasses and instantly being at a disadvantage because of it, her internal dialogue about remembered childhood "pranks" taking her glasses had my heart aching for her. While her instance at reaching out and holding on to Hamish had me cheering her on.
Hamish had hated war with a passion, though no soldier admitted that to his fellows.
If you read The Traitor (Captive Hearts series) you'll remember Hamish but our first glimpse of him here is of him saving Megan's glasses; needless to say, I fell for him right then and there. In a style that will either endear or turn-off readers, Hamish has a very persistent way of comparing everything to soldiering; he approaches society as a battle campaign. I thought it was cute and felt it was a great insight to this gruff but big hearted man. He gets lost a bit in the middle due to the secondary characters but along with Megan, every time his wool kilt came swinging into the picture, I sat up to pay attention. The author did a great job of bringing to light the deep pain, brotherhood, and other myriad emotions that come with soldiering through Hamish; there was a heavy emotional base to this character.
As with all Burrowes I have read, there were deep emotions and heart-wrenching scenes. You'll find plenty of humor and warmth in these pages but not a lot of drama. I missed the building of attraction, our couple's relationship is built more from a soulmate perspective who are fairly instantly comfortable and close with one another, and a little bit of excitement; this story is a light breezed Sunday afternoon swinging in a hammock equivalent. I was a little frustrated with how Megan couldn't or wouldn't just tell her family the whole story, the Windhams seem to be touted as a very close more progressive family, why couldn't she go to one of them? I wish I could have gotten to know Hamish's sisters more in favor of sticking with past heroes and our happily ever after was a bit rushed and abrupt. Regardless of those complaints, Sir Fletcher our villain was suitably smarmy with enough filling out to try to hold one or two sympathies, the pace and tone kept things running smoothly, and our main couple was sweet together.
If you were ever a little girl in glasses, Megan will steal a piece of your heart while Hamish's caring will repair it. I look forward to coming into his own Colin (Hamish's younger brother) and what's she up to Anwen (Megan's sister) story and seeing how they come together next in the series.
March 15, 2019
Okay guys, I coincidentally picked this up in the midst of an Outlander obsession and let me just say: it was the perfect timing for me to read this book! Hallelujah and amen.
Initially, I was a little concerned about the writing style because I find that I need to be in a specific "mood" and headspace for writing that is done in a historical fashion. I don't know if that really makes sense, but for me, typically when the writing is meant to represent an older period of time, it takes me longer to read/comprehend the story. That actually was not the case with this book. It may have been because I became invested in the story quite quickly, but I found the writing and the story was easy to understand. The writing wasn't as difficult as I predicted it would be.
Also, I liked all the characters within this story and as mentioned, I became quite invested in the outcome of both Megan and Hamish. I mean, in all reality, the outcome is fairly predictable but the journey on how they would get there was not.
I think what really had me laughing was after reading the novel, the author note mentioned how Hamish reminded the author of Jamie Fraser. I do have to say that it definitely seemed as if the character of Hamish was inspired by him but not in a blatantly obvious way. It did not come across as if Hamish was an exact duplicate, they just had similarities (in the best ways possible).
For those that like the show Outlander (I have not read the book series yet), I would recommend for you to check this book out as it may give you the "fix" that you need. Again, they are not exactly the same but I liked the similarities that each of them share.
***Thank you to Forever Publishing for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
Initially, I was a little concerned about the writing style because I find that I need to be in a specific "mood" and headspace for writing that is done in a historical fashion. I don't know if that really makes sense, but for me, typically when the writing is meant to represent an older period of time, it takes me longer to read/comprehend the story. That actually was not the case with this book. It may have been because I became invested in the story quite quickly, but I found the writing and the story was easy to understand. The writing wasn't as difficult as I predicted it would be.
Also, I liked all the characters within this story and as mentioned, I became quite invested in the outcome of both Megan and Hamish. I mean, in all reality, the outcome is fairly predictable but the journey on how they would get there was not.
I think what really had me laughing was after reading the novel, the author note mentioned how Hamish reminded the author of Jamie Fraser. I do have to say that it definitely seemed as if the character of Hamish was inspired by him but not in a blatantly obvious way. It did not come across as if Hamish was an exact duplicate, they just had similarities (in the best ways possible).
For those that like the show Outlander (I have not read the book series yet), I would recommend for you to check this book out as it may give you the "fix" that you need. Again, they are not exactly the same but I liked the similarities that each of them share.
***Thank you to Forever Publishing for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
May 20, 2019
3 SOLID & LIGHT STARS
Hamish MacHugh, the new Duke of Murdoch, is deemed a savage and a brute by British society/the Ton, his so-called exploits at Waterloo and the gossip of some jerks has led to him being deemed dangerous and somewhat uncouth. Hamish for his part has little tolerance for the Ton, and is eager to travel back home to Scotland, but his two younger sisters wish to have a London season, and expect their brother, as the Duke to accompany them to the necessary balls and assembles.
I really liked Hamish’s bluntness and Megan Windham was a nice heroine, although I wish she had been more of a spitfire, especially when it came to dealing with the odious Sir Fletcher – the infatuation she once had with him is coming back to bite her (and in no way is the bite an enjoyable one). A knight in kilted armour comes in the form of the Duke of Murdoch, and both their lives shift.
Megan is an unexpected delight for him, but he feels he cannot ask for her hand due to his experiences as a solider, but as he helps her stop the dastardly Sir Fletcher from reaching his goals, their bond grows. I did very much enjoy the final scene with Megan and the idiot Fletcher –
My kindle history shows that I apparently read this in the winter of 2017, but I honestly couldn’t recall one single thing about the book, and the blurb sounded good, so I picked it up again. Overall, I can say I am glad, this made for a nice enjoyable read, that being said even where tension emerges in this book, the tone is mellow and gentle. The tempo never reaches a rich and vivid crescendo, but there is something to be said for a mellow tale/romance, especially when needing to unwind/unstress. I will be reading more by the author at a later date.
I’m now in the mood for an up tempo, high energy HR book, where the tension and heat grip my throat and keep me absorbed, so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Hamish MacHugh, the new Duke of Murdoch, is deemed a savage and a brute by British society/the Ton, his so-called exploits at Waterloo and the gossip of some jerks has led to him being deemed dangerous and somewhat uncouth. Hamish for his part has little tolerance for the Ton, and is eager to travel back home to Scotland, but his two younger sisters wish to have a London season, and expect their brother, as the Duke to accompany them to the necessary balls and assembles.
I really liked Hamish’s bluntness and Megan Windham was a nice heroine, although I wish she had been more of a spitfire, especially when it came to dealing with the odious Sir Fletcher – the infatuation she once had with him is coming back to bite her (and in no way is the bite an enjoyable one). A knight in kilted armour comes in the form of the Duke of Murdoch, and both their lives shift.
Megan is an unexpected delight for him, but he feels he cannot ask for her hand due to his experiences as a solider, but as he helps her stop the dastardly Sir Fletcher from reaching his goals, their bond grows. I did very much enjoy the final scene with Megan and the idiot Fletcher –
My kindle history shows that I apparently read this in the winter of 2017, but I honestly couldn’t recall one single thing about the book, and the blurb sounded good, so I picked it up again. Overall, I can say I am glad, this made for a nice enjoyable read, that being said even where tension emerges in this book, the tone is mellow and gentle. The tempo never reaches a rich and vivid crescendo, but there is something to be said for a mellow tale/romance, especially when needing to unwind/unstress. I will be reading more by the author at a later date.
I’m now in the mood for an up tempo, high energy HR book, where the tension and heat grip my throat and keep me absorbed, so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
November 25, 2021
The new Scottish Duke of Murdock. Falls for Miss Megan Windham
Hamish a reluctant soldier becomes a Duke. The Windham family decide to help him. Megan is blackmailed by a hateful ex, into marriage. Hamish offers to help her get out of the situation .
Hamish a reluctant soldier becomes a Duke. The Windham family decide to help him. Megan is blackmailed by a hateful ex, into marriage. Hamish offers to help her get out of the situation .
September 26, 2024
Couldn’t put this one down. Vivid characterizations, intriguing plot, interesting family interactions, and a touching romance at the heart of it all. It briefly struck one false note toward the end—when Megan decides she must give up her beloved Hamish to marry her blackmailer—but she eventually decides that she’s ruined either way and confronts him, which is a decision she should have reached within minutes, not weeks. Oh well, there always seems to be a fly in the ointment of even Grace Burrowes’ best books, and make no mistake about it: this is one of her best.
February 9, 2017
Grace Burrowes’ The Trouble with Dukes sees her returning to the extended Windham family, who were the subject of her first published works. The
Windham Brides
series introduces the four nieces of the Duke and Duchess of Moreland while also reacquainting readers with the various other family members whose stories were told previously.
I suspect a reader’s level of enjoyment of this book may largely depend on their degree of familiarity with the various characters who inhabit “Burrowesworld” (a useful term coined by a friend of mine), as the author tends to put her existing characters to good use by moving them from book to book and series to series. If she needs a dashing former cavalry officer for some reason, why invent a new one when she’s already invented Devlin St. Just? Or if she needs a lordly musician, why not just call Valentine Windham into service? For someone like me, who has read – and enjoyed – a good proportion of Ms. Burrowes’ books, this doesn’t present a problem. I like meeting familiar faces and watching how they all relate and interact with each other and with the newly introduced characters in any given book. But for someone completely new to the author’s work, it could all prove somewhat overwhelming and a bit of homework might be in order.
On the other hand, the story is self-contained, so there are no threads picked up from other books or plotlines left hanging to be resolved in future ones. And if you’re prepared to just accept that all these secondary characters – many of whom, like Westhaven, St. Just, Keswick and Moreland have more than just a cameo role to play – are family members and then go along for the ride, then I’m sure it’s possible to enjoy the book without having read any of the others. But to be completely honest, the plot of the novel is actually very slight, and the principal enjoyment of reading it comes from the well-written, affectionate familial relationships and friendships, something at which Ms. Burrowes always excels and to which I look forward each time I pick up one of her books.
Megan Windham is the third of the four sisters, all of whom are independent, intelligent young ladies with varying shades of red hair. Megan is fairly quiet and bookish; and when we first meet her, she is being importuned by Sir Fletcher Pilkington, a handsome young gentleman with aspirations to her hand. It’s quickly apparent that Megan wants nothing to do with him and that all he really wants is her dowry so he can pay off his debts and continue to life the high life. She is rescued from his unwanted attentions by a large, imposing man with dark auburn hair and piercing blue eyes – whom Sir Fletcher introduces as a former fellow officer, Colonel Hamish MacHugh.
MacHugh has recently become Duke of Murdoch and has come to London to see to all the legalities pertaining to his inheritance. He has also escorted his sisters to town so that they can take part in the Season, but he has no patience with the intricacies of society and feels completely adrift in the ballrooms and drawing rooms of the ton, so his plan is to decamp back to Scotland at the earliest opportunity. Yet if anything could tempt him to stay, it would be the lovely and intriguing Miss Windham, whom he senses is burdened by troubles that relate to Sir Fletcher, a man Hamish knows to be vicious, vain and unscrupulous.
Hamish’s suspicions about the true nature of Megan’s feelings for her suitor are correct. She loathes him and lives in dread of his gaining consent to their engagement. The problem is that telling her parents – or her strapping, protective Windham cousins – of the reason behind her dislike will risk her reputation and that of her sisters, and she is not prepared to ruin their standing in society because a youthful infatuation led her to believe herself in love with the scoundrel, and to write him a number of passionately improper letters – letters he is now using in order to blackmail her into marriage.
Megan is immediately attracted to her rescuer, who is kind and honourable and who listens to her without criticism or judgement. She feels valued and comfortable for the first time in ages and quickly finds herself trusting him enough to confide in him and ask for his help, which he gives readily. But Hamish has troubles of his own. He is haunted by decisions and actions made while serving on the Peninsula, and gossip about his propensity for violence and insubordination has led to his being dubbed the ‘Duke of Murder’. To make things worse, when Sir Fletcher sees which way the wind is blowing, he does his best to blacken Hamish’s name even further in his quest to become Megan’s accepted suitor while at the same time resorting to seriously underhand methods to sustain his expensive lifestyle.
That’s basically the plot – Hamish helps to remove the threat to Megan’s reputation and happiness and in return, she helps him to learn to polish his manners and learn some societal niceties so that he won’t feel quite so awkward amongst the ton. Along the way, of course, the pair develops a strong emotional attachment, and Hamish discovers the benefit of having true friends in the form of Megan’s formidable cousins and cousins-in-law. Their witty banter and the subsequent friendships that develop between the men are a sure sign that Hamish is going to fit right in, and give Grace Burrowes the opportunity to showcase her talent for writing strong male relationships.
My one quibble in this area, though, is that those relationships come very close to eclipsing the romance, which proceeds gently and without any over-played drama. Megan and Hamish are likeable, sensible characters, and I enjoyed watching both of them gradually returning to being their true selves and drawing strength from each other as they fell in love. But Megan confides her troubles to Hamish a little too quickly, and while he’s a trustworthy chap and I could understand her reasons for not wanting to tell her cousins of her dilemma, it nonetheless seems to happen a little too fast. And then there’s the issue of Megan’s parents taking an extended trip (to Wales) right in the middle of the Season even though they believe Megan is about to receive an offer of marriage – to which her father will have to give his consent. Their absence at a crucial time doesn’t make sense and feels like an obvious plot device so as to allow time for Megan and Hamish to spend time together while making sure that Sir Fletcher cannot make his proposal.
Those criticisms aside however, The Trouble with Dukes is a sweetly romantic tale featuring two engaging, well-matched protagonists. Readers familiar with the author’s work will appreciate her quirky writing style and sense of humour and those who aren’t will, I hope, find much to enjoy.
I suspect a reader’s level of enjoyment of this book may largely depend on their degree of familiarity with the various characters who inhabit “Burrowesworld” (a useful term coined by a friend of mine), as the author tends to put her existing characters to good use by moving them from book to book and series to series. If she needs a dashing former cavalry officer for some reason, why invent a new one when she’s already invented Devlin St. Just? Or if she needs a lordly musician, why not just call Valentine Windham into service? For someone like me, who has read – and enjoyed – a good proportion of Ms. Burrowes’ books, this doesn’t present a problem. I like meeting familiar faces and watching how they all relate and interact with each other and with the newly introduced characters in any given book. But for someone completely new to the author’s work, it could all prove somewhat overwhelming and a bit of homework might be in order.
On the other hand, the story is self-contained, so there are no threads picked up from other books or plotlines left hanging to be resolved in future ones. And if you’re prepared to just accept that all these secondary characters – many of whom, like Westhaven, St. Just, Keswick and Moreland have more than just a cameo role to play – are family members and then go along for the ride, then I’m sure it’s possible to enjoy the book without having read any of the others. But to be completely honest, the plot of the novel is actually very slight, and the principal enjoyment of reading it comes from the well-written, affectionate familial relationships and friendships, something at which Ms. Burrowes always excels and to which I look forward each time I pick up one of her books.
Megan Windham is the third of the four sisters, all of whom are independent, intelligent young ladies with varying shades of red hair. Megan is fairly quiet and bookish; and when we first meet her, she is being importuned by Sir Fletcher Pilkington, a handsome young gentleman with aspirations to her hand. It’s quickly apparent that Megan wants nothing to do with him and that all he really wants is her dowry so he can pay off his debts and continue to life the high life. She is rescued from his unwanted attentions by a large, imposing man with dark auburn hair and piercing blue eyes – whom Sir Fletcher introduces as a former fellow officer, Colonel Hamish MacHugh.
MacHugh has recently become Duke of Murdoch and has come to London to see to all the legalities pertaining to his inheritance. He has also escorted his sisters to town so that they can take part in the Season, but he has no patience with the intricacies of society and feels completely adrift in the ballrooms and drawing rooms of the ton, so his plan is to decamp back to Scotland at the earliest opportunity. Yet if anything could tempt him to stay, it would be the lovely and intriguing Miss Windham, whom he senses is burdened by troubles that relate to Sir Fletcher, a man Hamish knows to be vicious, vain and unscrupulous.
Hamish’s suspicions about the true nature of Megan’s feelings for her suitor are correct. She loathes him and lives in dread of his gaining consent to their engagement. The problem is that telling her parents – or her strapping, protective Windham cousins – of the reason behind her dislike will risk her reputation and that of her sisters, and she is not prepared to ruin their standing in society because a youthful infatuation led her to believe herself in love with the scoundrel, and to write him a number of passionately improper letters – letters he is now using in order to blackmail her into marriage.
Megan is immediately attracted to her rescuer, who is kind and honourable and who listens to her without criticism or judgement. She feels valued and comfortable for the first time in ages and quickly finds herself trusting him enough to confide in him and ask for his help, which he gives readily. But Hamish has troubles of his own. He is haunted by decisions and actions made while serving on the Peninsula, and gossip about his propensity for violence and insubordination has led to his being dubbed the ‘Duke of Murder’. To make things worse, when Sir Fletcher sees which way the wind is blowing, he does his best to blacken Hamish’s name even further in his quest to become Megan’s accepted suitor while at the same time resorting to seriously underhand methods to sustain his expensive lifestyle.
That’s basically the plot – Hamish helps to remove the threat to Megan’s reputation and happiness and in return, she helps him to learn to polish his manners and learn some societal niceties so that he won’t feel quite so awkward amongst the ton. Along the way, of course, the pair develops a strong emotional attachment, and Hamish discovers the benefit of having true friends in the form of Megan’s formidable cousins and cousins-in-law. Their witty banter and the subsequent friendships that develop between the men are a sure sign that Hamish is going to fit right in, and give Grace Burrowes the opportunity to showcase her talent for writing strong male relationships.
My one quibble in this area, though, is that those relationships come very close to eclipsing the romance, which proceeds gently and without any over-played drama. Megan and Hamish are likeable, sensible characters, and I enjoyed watching both of them gradually returning to being their true selves and drawing strength from each other as they fell in love. But Megan confides her troubles to Hamish a little too quickly, and while he’s a trustworthy chap and I could understand her reasons for not wanting to tell her cousins of her dilemma, it nonetheless seems to happen a little too fast. And then there’s the issue of Megan’s parents taking an extended trip (to Wales) right in the middle of the Season even though they believe Megan is about to receive an offer of marriage – to which her father will have to give his consent. Their absence at a crucial time doesn’t make sense and feels like an obvious plot device so as to allow time for Megan and Hamish to spend time together while making sure that Sir Fletcher cannot make his proposal.
Those criticisms aside however, The Trouble with Dukes is a sweetly romantic tale featuring two engaging, well-matched protagonists. Readers familiar with the author’s work will appreciate her quirky writing style and sense of humour and those who aren’t will, I hope, find much to enjoy.
August 21, 2021
"You love Hamish, don't you?" Colin asked, though he only dimly grasped what it might mean, for a woman this fierce to love his brother. Trouble for Hamish, but good, long overdue trouble.This was my first Grace Burrowes book and unfortunately, I didn't love it. I will definitely be trying some of her other books though; her characters are interesting, the writing is good, and the Windham family, which is heavily featured here, is quite enjoyable (and hysterical)!
Summary. Hamish MacHugh (early 30s??), now also the Duke of Murdoch, has just received a dukedom he never expected and really would prefer not having. He's in London with one of his brothers and two of his sisters, who are eager to make their societal debut, but cannot wait to get back to Scotland as soon as possible. He gets sidetracked, however, when he by chance runs into Miss Meghan Windham—repeatedly. There's a growing attraction and instant connection between them, and although on the one hand he knows English society isn't for him and can't wait to go home, on the other, how can he not help a damsel in distress ...?
Miss Meghan Windham (almost 26) is one of the Windham cousins (from the Windham series) and middle of four sisters, all unmarried. She has enjoyed her independence, but has never opposed marriage, and at one time even thought that she had found a worthy man to love and spend the rest of her life. Turns out, Sir Fletcher is actually an ass-wipe and she is now in his clutches and being blackmailed into marrying him. He has not proposed or made his intentions officially known to her uncle or father, but his attention to her has not gone unnoticed and being the charming rogue that he is, everyone else just thinks he's an eligible suitor.
Meghan had pretty much accepted her fate; although she has absolutely no tender feelings for Sir Fletcher anymore, she wants to avoid the scandal that he threatens to unleash on her sisters and her family. Now that she's met and started to fall for Hamish though, she sees the possibility of another and far brighter future ... if only they can get Sir Fletcher to give up on his plan to use her as (essentially) a convenient cash cow.
Criticism. I normally prefer to start with praise (who doesn't), but because I gave this book a poor rating, I feel like I should start off with what I didn't like about the book. There were a few things, but I'll start with the biggest first: I found the whole subplot unbelievable. Sir Fletcher's blackmail is legit and he's one crafty, manipulative mofo, but that he would be able to push Meghan into marrying him doesn't hold water. The Windham family is far, far too powerful! He's the youngest (and possibly not true) son of an earl, whereas she has dukes, marquesses, earls, and etc. either in her family or connected through marriage. Even without the title imbalance, the Windham family is presented is as one of the top families of society—their name and influence would far outweigh any potential smear or scandal Sir Fletcher might try to create (if they didn't just straight-out intimidate him into not doing anything in the first place).
I also found it very hard to believe that Meghan hadn't confided in any of her family members. I get the embarrassment factor, but that versus spending the rest of her life married to an asshole who is very straightforward about how little he thinks of her and how poorly he will treat her ... yeah, nuh-uh. It's either unbelievable, or it makes her a huge wuss with absolutely no spine whatsoever—neither of which is appealing. It's totally believable within another historical romance perhaps, but the Windham family is so close and so loving, it just rings completely false.
Finally, while I did really like Hamish and liked most of what I saw of Meghan, I didn't feel the connection between them. Part of that was that I found Meghan a bit hard to understand, due to the above, but also because I didn't always understand some of her other actions either. It didn't make much sense to me the way she acts with Hamish in the beginning, and why does she so readily confide in him when she hasn't confided in anyone else? Their interactions are cute, but they didn't ring completely true, because I never got a sense of what their connection was founded on. There was a distinct lack of chemistry between them and though there are some romance scenes, they completely lacked sizzle for me.
Oh! And one last thing: the constant comparison of everything to war language was supremely annoying. Everything was a campaign, every move was compared to some war stratagem and described as such; it was really excessive. Made it seem like Burrowes did a great deal of military research ... and then got annoyed that she wasn't able to use it with this plot so tried to stick them in wherever she could. Hamish and several of the Windham cousins were in the military, so it's not completely random, but just very over-the-top in terms of frequency.
Praise. As I said above, I did really enjoy Hamish—he was so adorable and such a sweetie. A very gruff, rough-around-the-edges sweetie. The way he calls her "Miss Meggie" and "Meggie" from the beginning was super cute. I love his to-the-point, blunt-speaking ways, which provide several laugh-out-loud passages, and his irreverence is also very amusing—the "twist" he has on her cousin's titles is sooo funny!!! ("Rosebud" instead of "Rosecroft," "Worsthaven" instead of "Westhaven" lolol).
"I like your Scot. I like how he watches you. I like that his brother loves him fiercely. Murdoch is protective and respectful towards you, and he watches you the way Papa watches Mama." —Anwen, one of Meghan's sistersThe Windham family was extremely enjoyable and it definitely made me wish that I had read other books in the series. I was still able to enjoy the series regardless, but anyone who has read and enjoyed the Windham series will really love this book, because you get to see plenty of the couples again (and quite frequently).
Excerpt. Enjoy!!
"My countess claims you're mentally composing poetry whenever you behold Megan Windham," the Earl of Keswick said.*This review is of an ARC provided by Net Galley and the publisher
"Lord Cowlick, good evening," Hamish replied, though he did not take his gaze from his lady. "Has anybody told you sneaking up on a man isn't polite?" [...]
"When you have children, Murdoch, you either learn stealth or acquaint yourself with the dubious charms of celibacy. Besides, a regiment mounted on elephants could sneak up on you when you're watching Megan Windham."
August 23, 2018
I like Ms. Burrowes, however I had a very hard time getting through this novel. It was way too slow with getting to anything interesting. I think it picked up halfway through the book and had too much of trying to teach, learn, going places and protocol for me.
It could have been a lot better with more intense attraction between the two may characters instead of the subtle undertone of it.
Overall I thought the writing was good and some of the characters were interesting.
3.0/5 Stars
It could have been a lot better with more intense attraction between the two may characters instead of the subtle undertone of it.
Overall I thought the writing was good and some of the characters were interesting.
3.0/5 Stars
December 19, 2016
Link to full review below! 3.5 stars
Cute and sweet! See full review on The Book Disciple
Cute and sweet! See full review on The Book Disciple
December 16, 2016
DNF @50% Some spoilers ahead.
Apparently this is not the first book of this series, its really the 9th. I was reading, wondering WTF was happening for most of the first half. I didnt connect with either Megan or Hamish, and I felt like Megan's character was flimsy. She would say something like, "I am not a fast woman" one moment, but then she was nuzzling up to Hamish, a man whom she has known for all of 10 minutes.
There is also Sir Fletcher, apparently Megan wrote him some love letters and now Fletch has it in his mind that Megan is going to marry him because he cant find anyone else. He is blackmailing her with her letters, and Megan asks Hamish to retrieve them. He does. When he does, and returns them to Megan, her uncle, the Duke of Moreland, finds them kissing. So, Megan asks Hamish to court her. Then in the next freaking chapter, or what it felt like to me, she says, we are basically betrothed, DO MEEEEEEEE. I dont know. I.... I had to put it down after that scene.
Apparently this is not the first book of this series, its really the 9th. I was reading, wondering WTF was happening for most of the first half. I didnt connect with either Megan or Hamish, and I felt like Megan's character was flimsy. She would say something like, "I am not a fast woman" one moment, but then she was nuzzling up to Hamish, a man whom she has known for all of 10 minutes.
There is also Sir Fletcher, apparently Megan wrote him some love letters and now Fletch has it in his mind that Megan is going to marry him because he cant find anyone else. He is blackmailing her with her letters, and Megan asks Hamish to retrieve them. He does. When he does, and returns them to Megan, her uncle, the Duke of Moreland, finds them kissing. So, Megan asks Hamish to court her. Then in the next freaking chapter, or what it felt like to me, she says, we are basically betrothed, DO MEEEEEEEE. I dont know. I.... I had to put it down after that scene.
August 30, 2017
I find Burrowes/Langton audiobooks to be an excellent comfort listen; not too demanding in terms of the story with narration by someone who really understands Ms. Burrowes' little quirks (and has a lovely voice, to boot!).
My review of the book is HERE - the audiobook is well-narrated and James Langton certainly gets to give his various UK accents a good workout, given the hero and his brother are Scottish, one character (St. Just) is Irish and the heroine and her sisters are Welsh. The latter accents do slip and are a bit nondescript, but Welsh accents are HARD (unless you're Welsh!) and I've found very few narrators who can sustain one believably for any length of time.
Anyway. If you're a fan of Grace Burrowes' and want to experience her stories in audio, this is a decent addition to her growing canon.
My review of the book is HERE - the audiobook is well-narrated and James Langton certainly gets to give his various UK accents a good workout, given the hero and his brother are Scottish, one character (St. Just) is Irish and the heroine and her sisters are Welsh. The latter accents do slip and are a bit nondescript, but Welsh accents are HARD (unless you're Welsh!) and I've found very few narrators who can sustain one believably for any length of time.
Anyway. If you're a fan of Grace Burrowes' and want to experience her stories in audio, this is a decent addition to her growing canon.
June 8, 2017
Rating: 3.0/5.0
I love historical books be it suspense, mystery or romantic. I am very fond with the settings and the atmosphere. Grace Burrowes has done a marvelous job here in creating all the historical settings and atmospheres in her book. When you read, it is like you truly live in that interesting era. Megan Windham is the heroine of the story who is suffering from a poor eye sight. She is being blackmailed by Sir Fletcher who tries his best to marry her for all the wrong reasons. Comes to her rescue the other main character Hamish McHugh who is called the Duke of Murder by the society (Why he is called this you have to read it yourself as I don't want to write any spoilers here).
This is the first book in the series of Windham Brides. In the first page of the book there is a nice family tree that shows all the different characters and how they relate to each other. Many of these characters also appear in other novels for the author. Perhaps this is why the side characters suffer a little from being a bit superficial and lack depth to them. Maybe I need to read the other novels to get to know them better. The main three characters do not suffer from this shortcoming though. The story is sometimes sweet, charming and going very well and at other times it felt like it just dragged as if it was a long one episode from a soap opera, but overall it was a good read and I would recommend it for one time read.
Note: I have won a free copy of this book by participating in a giveaway.
I love historical books be it suspense, mystery or romantic. I am very fond with the settings and the atmosphere. Grace Burrowes has done a marvelous job here in creating all the historical settings and atmospheres in her book. When you read, it is like you truly live in that interesting era. Megan Windham is the heroine of the story who is suffering from a poor eye sight. She is being blackmailed by Sir Fletcher who tries his best to marry her for all the wrong reasons. Comes to her rescue the other main character Hamish McHugh who is called the Duke of Murder by the society (Why he is called this you have to read it yourself as I don't want to write any spoilers here).
This is the first book in the series of Windham Brides. In the first page of the book there is a nice family tree that shows all the different characters and how they relate to each other. Many of these characters also appear in other novels for the author. Perhaps this is why the side characters suffer a little from being a bit superficial and lack depth to them. Maybe I need to read the other novels to get to know them better. The main three characters do not suffer from this shortcoming though. The story is sometimes sweet, charming and going very well and at other times it felt like it just dragged as if it was a long one episode from a soap opera, but overall it was a good read and I would recommend it for one time read.
Note: I have won a free copy of this book by participating in a giveaway.
March 29, 2018
This was…well, I don't know what this was. I didn't hate it but I also didn't particularly like it. I'd never read a book by this author before, so I didn't know what to expect writing- and plot-wise. Neither of those was really my thing, though the book did have some elements that I enjoyed.
It was obviously part of a larger universe/a sequel series and I wish I'd read those books first, because all of Megan's cousins (who are now all happily married and had obviously gotten their HEAs in those previous books) were a delight. That was the highlight without a doubt.
Other than that, I didn't feel any emotional connection to both main characters, no romantic spark and there were so many POVs and relatives' names being dropped that my head was spinning. The focus of the plot was a blackmail situation, which I didn't like either.
I might check out some of Grace Burrowes' other books or earlier books to see if they're any better, but I suspect her work might not be my cup of tea.
It was obviously part of a larger universe/a sequel series and I wish I'd read those books first, because all of Megan's cousins (who are now all happily married and had obviously gotten their HEAs in those previous books) were a delight. That was the highlight without a doubt.
Other than that, I didn't feel any emotional connection to both main characters, no romantic spark and there were so many POVs and relatives' names being dropped that my head was spinning. The focus of the plot was a blackmail situation, which I didn't like either.
I might check out some of Grace Burrowes' other books or earlier books to see if they're any better, but I suspect her work might not be my cup of tea.
April 25, 2017
I ended up skimming most of the book, because it was solidly awful. Author needs to focus on her actual characters and plot rather than trying to introduce an army of secondary distant family members to populate future books. The villain was a joke, not even remotely terrifying and the war reflections beyond poorly executed, get that girl a Bernard Cornwall book for reference. Characters were milquetoast and the romance awkward at best, the sex scenes were so bland I could hardly tell what was going on beneath weird fumbling descriptions. I've tried Burrows a few times now, never again. Also, comparisons of her leading man to Jamie Fraser? Seriously I actually laughed out loud.
May 2, 2018
Who are all these people? I couldn’t even figure out who was talking half the time during most of this book. To make matters worse, as soon as the next four characters were introduced, someone would use their title instead, then someone else give them a nickname like Lord Fancy Pants or the one with the auburn hair (which most of them seemed to have), or His Grace (which one?) none of which helped matters any. If you're going to introduce a reader to 12 characters within 3 chapters at least give the reader time to figure out who’s who before confusing the whole conversation. And I’m afraid I found most of the conversations as tedious as Hamish found London society.
October 3, 2016
Hamish is a very sweet man, “listen to me, Meggie. Firstly , when I make a vow, I keep it. Forsaking all others, means forsaking all others. Secondly, I suspect once we’re wed, the effort required to show up at meals with a few clothes on will tax the limit of my abilities. I’m marrying a passionate woman.” Thanks to his girl, Hamish can sometimes forget what he was saying, “I was saying…” Something, something important, and honorable, and… damn. “Don’t stop, Meggie. Not yet.” I enjoyed this book, Hamish was just the sweetest man.
July 31, 2017
The Trouble with Dukes by Grace Burrowes
4.25 stars
First in the Windham Brides series & Spin-off to the Windham series
“Wealth only looks like it gives a man power. In truth it makes him less free.”
“Death is within anybody’s grasp. The greater challenge is to live, and to love despite our errors and failings.”
Whimsical Writing Scale: 4.25
“A ball is a test of endurance. Think of it as a forced march.”
Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 4
Swoon Worthy Scale: 5
Character Scale: 4
Plotastic Scale: 4.5
Cover Thoughts: I personally like this cover. In comparison to others in the genre it’s a good one.
Thank you, Forever Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Other Windham Brides books:
2) Too Scot to Handle 3.25 stars
4.25 stars
First in the Windham Brides series & Spin-off to the Windham series
“Wealth only looks like it gives a man power. In truth it makes him less free.”
The Duke of Murder is the talk of the town. He’s fierce, unruly, and a Scot. Everything that polite women in society turn their noses up at, but Megan Windham feels that there’s more to Hamish that unfitting title of the Duke of Murder. While Hamish battles with himself and his new feelings for an English woman, Megan battles the unwanted affections of a lecherous man after her inheritance and he will stop at nothing… even if it means destroying Megan’s reputation. I was approached by the publisher to review a physical copy of this novel, which is very rare for me. I couldn’t say no to this novel because it has a hero with the title of the Duke of Murder and he is a Scot! This book is practically made for me because I love Scotland and I gobble up Scottish historical romances like candy. I haven’t read the Windhams novels so I have no ties to the majority of the characters mentioned and showcased in the story, but that didn’t lessen my overall enjoyment. It made me want to read the about this wonderful cast of characters.
“Death is within anybody’s grasp. The greater challenge is to live, and to love despite our errors and failings.”
The writing in this historical romance is very well-written. Usually HRs are light and don’t contain much depth, but this one had a lot of great quotes and discussions about war and what it does to a man. I really enjoyed how serious this novel was while also being incredibly sweet and romantic. It was a perfect balance.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 4.25
“A ball is a test of endurance. Think of it as a forced march.”
The main female character is Megan. Megan is red-haired and bespectacled, which is not a common mix in the HRs that I’ve read. She’s also incredibly fierce, but she also is naïve to others and it costs her a great deal throughout the novel. She also speaks Gaelic, which is awesome and very beneficial in winning the heart of a very hardened Scottish duke. She’s just a fun heroine that definitely made the story fun and memorable.
Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 4
The main male character is Hamish. Damn, Hamish is the perfect package. He’s sweet, caring, awkward, handsome, funny, and Scottish. I adored his jokes, especially the nicknames that he gave the Windhams- Worsthaven, Cowlick, Rosebud, and he was the highlight of the story for me (which is usually the case for HR). A successful HR has a hero that charms me silly. I loved how Hamish is a damaged character because it made him real. I understood the choices he made because of the war that he fought in and how it affected him. Grace Burrowes also said that she mirrored Hamish with Jamie Fraser in mind. Enough said.
Swoon Worthy Scale: 5
The Villain- What a douchebag. Sir Fletcher is the most annoying character in this novel and the most despicable. He was trying to sink my ship with his manipulative, conniving ways and that is not acceptable.
Villain Scale: 4
The characters in this novel are all sweet and lighthearted characters. There is a lot of Windhams and it is easy to get lost and forget which is which, but that’s the charm of having such a big family.
Character Scale: 4
I adored the relationship in this novel. It was so sweet and romantic. All of my notes consist of “Aw, so sweet!” about twenty times. This sappy romance stole my heart and made me squeal with happiness. Sometimes a sweet, romantic Scottish historical romance is all a woman needs. Definitely recommend this one for HR lovers or anyone looking for something fun and light!
Plotastic Scale: 4.5
Cover Thoughts: I personally like this cover. In comparison to others in the genre it’s a good one.
Thank you, Forever Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Other Windham Brides books:
2) Too Scot to Handle 3.25 stars
February 10, 2017
I found this book on netgalley and received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have not read any other books by Grace Bellows and initially picked this book because I thought it was the first in a new series – it is tagged on goodreads as being (Windham Brides #1). Little did I realize it is the offshoot of another series, The Windham series, and is more like the 12th book in the Windham world. Characters from earlier books factor heavily into this one, so I felt like I was missing a lot of back story, inside jokes, and character nuances.
As for the hero and heroine in this story, Megan and Hamish, well, I thought they were charming, flawed, and infinitely relatable. Megan had poor judgement in her youth that threatens to tarnish her future. She also has poor eyesight, which is something I wish more books would talk about since it was bound to have been an issue before eyeglasses became more common. Hamish has a rather terrible case of PTSD, as do many of the other male characters in the book. He is honorable to a fault, but also very proud, which works in his favor in some areas, but holds him back in others.
For much of the book, I wished Megan and Hamish would fully confide in the fleet of secondary characters to get help with their troubles. I feel like that would have moved the plot along much quicker. Not to say that this book has pacing issues, but I feel like a few well-timed conversations could have moved things along a little easier. Especially all the times that Megan spoke favorably or even neutrally about Sir Fletcher. If she would just have told any of her male relations she did not want him to court her, things would have been much easier for everyone. I also thought it was rather curious that her parents would leave London at the height of the Season when they have a daughter with what is thought to be a solid marriage prospect in place.
In general, I liked this book. It works as a stand-alone novel, but I would STRONGLY recommend reading the Windham books first. From reading this book, it was almost less about Megan and Hamish than it was a celebration of the entire Windham family and I would encourage someone to read the other books to get to know them better as the series order would indicate.
I have not read any other books by Grace Bellows and initially picked this book because I thought it was the first in a new series – it is tagged on goodreads as being (Windham Brides #1). Little did I realize it is the offshoot of another series, The Windham series, and is more like the 12th book in the Windham world. Characters from earlier books factor heavily into this one, so I felt like I was missing a lot of back story, inside jokes, and character nuances.
As for the hero and heroine in this story, Megan and Hamish, well, I thought they were charming, flawed, and infinitely relatable. Megan had poor judgement in her youth that threatens to tarnish her future. She also has poor eyesight, which is something I wish more books would talk about since it was bound to have been an issue before eyeglasses became more common. Hamish has a rather terrible case of PTSD, as do many of the other male characters in the book. He is honorable to a fault, but also very proud, which works in his favor in some areas, but holds him back in others.
For much of the book, I wished Megan and Hamish would fully confide in the fleet of secondary characters to get help with their troubles. I feel like that would have moved the plot along much quicker. Not to say that this book has pacing issues, but I feel like a few well-timed conversations could have moved things along a little easier. Especially all the times that Megan spoke favorably or even neutrally about Sir Fletcher. If she would just have told any of her male relations she did not want him to court her, things would have been much easier for everyone. I also thought it was rather curious that her parents would leave London at the height of the Season when they have a daughter with what is thought to be a solid marriage prospect in place.
In general, I liked this book. It works as a stand-alone novel, but I would STRONGLY recommend reading the Windham books first. From reading this book, it was almost less about Megan and Hamish than it was a celebration of the entire Windham family and I would encourage someone to read the other books to get to know them better as the series order would indicate.
September 27, 2024
This was a tough book for me to get thru.... the story line, the writing itself, the characters were all done well I thought, but I am guessing the hero was suffering from a serious case of PTSD from his hellish experience serving in the war.
Which is ok and a very realistic situation that soldiers go thru, but it made reading this book very hard. Because there were battlefield references seemingly to every single scene or situation in the book. It actually became very distracting for me to follow along with the story because I kept thinking, "oh here we go, another war reference." Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be insensitive to PTSD, it was just an overkill of references.
This is not a direct quote from the book, but it would be as ridiculous as, for example, the hero walking across the ballroom to get champagne from a server and the crowded, stuffy ballroom would be described as a foggy battlefield and the champagne glasses on the serving tray would remind the hero of soldiers standing at attention. This seemed to happen at least every other paragraph. So as long as you are able to not get distracted by an overabundance of war references, you might really enjoy the story!
Which is ok and a very realistic situation that soldiers go thru, but it made reading this book very hard. Because there were battlefield references seemingly to every single scene or situation in the book. It actually became very distracting for me to follow along with the story because I kept thinking, "oh here we go, another war reference." Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be insensitive to PTSD, it was just an overkill of references.
This is not a direct quote from the book, but it would be as ridiculous as, for example, the hero walking across the ballroom to get champagne from a server and the crowded, stuffy ballroom would be described as a foggy battlefield and the champagne glasses on the serving tray would remind the hero of soldiers standing at attention. This seemed to happen at least every other paragraph. So as long as you are able to not get distracted by an overabundance of war references, you might really enjoy the story!
September 20, 2021
DNF at 62%
My mother told me I should read this, because the characters were insane and that should appeal to her daughter's crazy tastes! :D
First problem: This is not a very well written book and translated it gets even worse.
The translation is horrendous. Really people, don't buy this book in Portuguese. -________-
(A palavra amaricado é constantemente usada)
The characters are boring, acting against their so called "personalities" and not developed at all.
The romance happens because it has to happen. Meh.
There's a scary number of dukes and other... dudes, constantly being mentioned and I had/have no idea who all this people are.
Apparently they already had their books and HEA, but if like me, this is your first book by the author you're probably going to be lost with all those names and titles.
Its not that I couldn't finish it, but it was draining the life out of me. Bye.
My mother told me I should read this, because the characters were insane and that should appeal to her daughter's crazy tastes! :D
First problem: This is not a very well written book and translated it gets even worse.
The translation is horrendous. Really people, don't buy this book in Portuguese. -________-
(A palavra amaricado é constantemente usada)
The characters are boring, acting against their so called "personalities" and not developed at all.
The romance happens because it has to happen. Meh.
There's a scary number of dukes and other... dudes, constantly being mentioned and I had/have no idea who all this people are.
Apparently they already had their books and HEA, but if like me, this is your first book by the author you're probably going to be lost with all those names and titles.
Its not that I couldn't finish it, but it was draining the life out of me. Bye.
November 2, 2022
The H is brash, disrespected by many but his family know the truth about his military service. The h is being blackmailed by evil OM when H falls madly in love with her. It is sweet, long winded and frustrating. She followed the rules even with her family at risk from the baddie. Loved seeing characters from other books, and how this couple eventually triumphed.
October 5, 2017
I feel like I've been pretty lucky with all of the new-to-me historical romance authors I've tried of late. I think I saw someone mention the second book in this series on GR, and that's what made me put this one on hold at the library. I love Scots. I love scheming matchmakers. And I love a series where each book details how a spinster daughter finds the love of her life. Though this one actually felt like it was more the Scottish duke's story than the spinster's at times -- and that might have been because the narrator was male (but good) -- it was all of the things I admitted to loving above...and then some. I hope my library takes my recommendation to purchase the audio for the second book to heart. I can't wait for the next couple's story!
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